The American Center in Vientiane, run by the US Embassy in Laos, provides an engaging and accessible space for young people. The Center supports the United States’ commitment to youth leadership development and education access by providing free English language classes, library exhibits, discussion forums, workshops, and civic education training.
Education and English-language training are two priority issues for US relations with the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The American Center in Vientiane (AC), operated by the US Embassy in Laos, supports these missions by “offering a welcoming, free space dedicated to Lao youth and emerging leaders, providing them with a safe environment for learning, exploration, dialogue, and discovery,” said Inthaphone Heuangsisavath (Mimi), American Center Director, “Our programs emphasize educational themes, including English language classes, library exhibits, discussion forums, workshops, and civic education training.”
On weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings, the AC is typically full of students attending classes, club members attending meetings, or participants utilizing the library and computer spaces. The AC hosts an impressive collection of English-language books, including numerous test prep materials for IELTS, TOEFL, the GRE, and more, as well as computers for public use. Courses offered at the AC include English as a Foreign Language (EFL) courses and special interest courses (SICs), which range from public speaking to computer literacy. The two main clubs hosted by the AC are Peer to Peer (P2P), which provides free English training, and Community Club (CC), which hosts monthly community-based events focused on education, the environment, accessibility, and youth leadership. Over the past few months, the AC has also hosted numerous special events, including a Hackathon workshop, moving nights, a project proposal writing workshop, and a panel discussion with LGBTQ+ leaders in Laos.
The Center is the hub for educational exchanges between the US and Laos. Phonesana Siphanhvieng (Ped), the AC’s Education Outreach Coordinator, frequently hosts informational sessions on the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (UGRAD), Fulbright Programs, and the Young Southeast Asia Leadership Initiative (YSEALI) programs. Participation in exchange scholarships such as the YSEALI and UGRAD programs is increasing. “After COVID, the number of participants and programs continues to grow, particularly during the summer break. Additionally, we offer a Fellowship program for college and university students interested in gaining experience in an international work environment,” Mimi noted. The upcoming education fair, hosted at the AC on September 7th, will showcase the center’s activities such as P2P, CC, and scholarship and exchange programs.
Thanks to the AC’s committed staff, which includes Mimi, Ped, Noonkham Phommavongsa, Emerging Voice Specialist, Vannasone Saleumsy, American Center Clerk, and numerous AC Fellows who support programming, the American Center provides an important community space for students of all ages in Vientiane. When asked why she likes working at the AC, Mimi said she enjoys “working in a professional environment, supporting youth engagement, and the opportunity to be creative to reach target audiences effectively.”
Those interested in attending an event or class at the AC can refer to the Center’s Facebook page for event updates. The AC in Vientiane is open for walk-in students and individuals interested in using the library and computer spaces Tuesday to Friday (1:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M.) and Saturday (8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.). The AC is closed on Sundays and Mondays and US and Lao Holidays.
The author would like to thank Inthaphone Heuangsisavath (Mimi) for her valuable contributions to this article, as well as the entire AC team for their important work. And a huge thanks to the many students who make the AC a vibrant educational space!
Alana Ballagh is a Summer 2024 Young Professional at the East-West Center in Washington. She is a first year Master's student in the Energy and Resources Group at the University of California, Berkeley, with a regional focus on Southeast Asia. She was a Fulbright ETA to Vientiane from 2022 to 2024.